Abandoned Vehicle Program

The Abandoned Vehicle Program, supported by a grant from Alameda County, is complaint driven and eliminates blight and potential rodent harborage. Close cooperation with the Berkeley Police Department occurs since accurate Department of Motor Vehicle registration information is necessary. Property and vehicle owners are legally notified, time frames for removal are mutually agreed upon, and the property is brought into compliance with the Berkeley Municipal Code (Chapter 12.98).

Enforcement includes issuing notices of violation, posting inoperative vehicles, obtaining and posting warrants (including forcible entry), and scheduling and authorizing contract vendors to tow vehicles off private property. Voluntary compliance with legal notices and orders is generally achieved as a result of consistent efforts from the Environmental Health Division.